Ahead of deadline, Sox add five to 40-man roster

The White Sox on Tuesday added four players to their 40-man roster, bringing the total to 38 before Tuesday's 10:59 p.m. CT deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft.

With one remaining spot, the White Sox can add a free agent without making a corresponding move or make a selection in the Rule 5 Draft.

Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five years or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 process. Players signed at 19 years old are to be protected within four years.

Clubs pay $50,000 to select a player in the Rule 5 Draft, to be held on Dec. 6 at the conclusion of the Winter Meetings in Nashville. If that player doesn't stay on the 25-man roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

Mitchell, 24, was the club's first-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. He hit .237 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases last year, spending two-thirds of his season at Double-A Birmingham before his promotion to Charlotte. He is the club's No. 9 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Phegley, 24, was the 38th overall in the 2009 Draft. He spent the 2012 season in Charlotte, hitting .266 with six home runs and 22 doubles. He is MLB.com's 11th-ranked prospect in the White Sox system and has impressed defensively.

Rienzo, 24, pitched at three Minor League levels last season as a starter, spending most of his time in Double-A. He combined to go 7-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 18 starts and struck out 113 in 103 1/3 innings. He is the 18th-best prospect in Chicago's Minor Leagues, according to MLB.com. He will miss part of Spring Training because of his commitment to pitch for Team Brazil in the World Baseball Classic.

Rodriguez, 24, posted a 2.90 ERA and eight saves in 42 relief appearances last season, most of which came with Birmingham. He struck out 69 in 71 1/3 innings and gives the White Sox more left-handed reliever depth.